Newbie Q: Used laptop, Win7 installed but no COA. Problems?

I guess I should know this by now, but it's always confused me:

How are private resellers (many seemingly reputable) able to sell used computers advertised with a 'fresh install' of Windows, but supply the buyer with no original disks or COA or anything to prove that their copy of Windows is legal?

What happens when the next auto update occurs? What are the consequences for the new owner in this case? Will this tricky question just fall into a black hole and disappear?

thanks
Dave

 

What windows license, where? There's no proof of you buying any windows license with that computer

Usually that "fresh install" will work up to 30 days just normally and update itself. Then it will ask for license code and if not provided, will not let you log in.

Of course it can be already activated version, it isn't technically difficult but doing that and not providing any kind of Windows license is nothing more than common piracy.

 

Well, we just cannot have 'common' piracy!

I am trying to communicate, in pirate talk, to affirm that the seller did in fact activate the s/w legally. I am sure he will respond forthwith and upstandingly.
For the record, I am blameless on account of my obvious ignorance.

(update) I have seller's assurance: "yes windows 7 is a geniune copy. not a hacked version".

I don't have any reason to doubt this. Although, why would he not ship me the disks?

How can I check the computer to see whether this recent Win7 install has been activated?

thanks

 

Hi, my laptop is arriving today. How and where can I check to see if the recent Win7 install is legit and has been properly activated (?)

thanks!

 

Right click on computer and choose properties. Under windows activation, you will have a message stating: Windows is activated and the product key will be right below it.

 

THANKS, much appreciated! 8>)

 

It has COA sticker on it, or license from a retail box is included.

Someone else can tell if/or how electronic purchases are trsnsferrable to the new owner if at all. MSDNAA licenses aren't transferrable? Those are cheap ones usually found for sale in the web.

Activation does not matter, having posession of legit lisence is the key. Windows can be made to activate without a valid license but it doesn't make that installation legit.

 

Now that doesn't sound so good. 8>/

 

Thanks very much for the further info and clarifications. I'll report back what I find.

PS - Ostensibly I got a great deal (under $200) on a very solid machine I was specifically looking for, and worth the price even without the new Win7 install. However that's how it was advertised, and if the new install doesn't work and the OEM OS (XP) is long gone, it may be not such a good deal. Anyway, I'll see... probably shouldn't expect a clean machine w/ Win7 pro64 for that price anyway.

 

honestly, I won't worry about it if the windows come activated.

I am not trying to defend illegal windows but I know alot of people running "activated" windows and they don't even know about it. For example, people bring their computers to local repair shops for re install window, there is no way they brother with proper window installation. The list go on and on ~

 

I know nuuu-thing!

 

How do you define proper installation and how do you see the difference between proper and improper installation afterwards?

Manually check the activation status of your Windows:

Type cmd in Start menu.
Right-click on the first result (cmd.exe) and click on Run as administrator (confirm by clicking Yes if required).

Type
slmgr -dli

Press ENTER after command.

That command will bring a popup, where you'll see some of these:

OEM:COA
OEM:NONSLP
OEM:SLP

Retail
Retail:TB:Eval

If the license says OEM, then computer MUST HAVE COA sticker.
If it says Retail, then there should be physical license card or a printed email if electronically bought license.

I'm pretty sure it'll say OEM_SLP channel and it's missing the COA (stripped and sold separately, as are the recovery discs probably...). Not that I would be pessimistic but...

 

Hello KLF. Thanks once again for your feedback.

I won't get the laptop until tomorrow. I'll check it the way you suggest when it arrives; I'm also not optimistic now. The seller claims it's a legal installation, but says there are no disks nor any certificate, except the old COA of the previous XP.
I'd prefer if it just had the original OS so I could buy an upgrade. Maybe the 'fresh install' of Win7 64 Pro will work fine...and magic fairies will fly out of the USB ports

thanks again

 

I used to do part time in those place, they clone the image on the computer, windows install take too much time. school do the same but then they have license ~.

 

I'm not so much fan of cloning. Considering windows 7 it doesn't even really shorten the install time. Then you still have to update drivers and run windows update numerous times. While it might be 15 minutes faster, there's possibly much more problems ahead and there also needs to be an image for every computer type.

I use manufacturer provided install discs (generic windows dvd that autoactivates on said manufacturers computers). It's simple and end-users don't need to ever think about any activation stuff.

Of course all of those methods are valid only if the computer is provided with a license... In school they use volume license and others use OEM/SLP activation with COA attached.

 

KLF - I did what you described,, and the popup says this:

Name: Windows(R) 7, Professional edition
Description: Windows Operating System, Windows(R) 7, VOL_MAK channel
Partial Product Key: (three letters, two digits)
Licence Status: Licenced

How do I stand?

thanks
Groovon

 

MAK = Multiple Activation Key.

Volume license key - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Microsoft Volume Licensing - Product Activation
Microsoft Volume Licensing - Frequently Asked Questions About Product Activation

Basically the key is a volume license key and belongs to some company, it has probably been leaked. If it was intentionally installed on a computer meant to be sold outside company... even worse.

 

Even worse? I don't understand the pessimism.

Why couldn't this computer have been part of a legitimate licencing procedure, if, for instance, it previously belonged to a company that paid MicroSoft for a MAK (assuming it wasn't abused/leaked, whatever?

groovon

 

The moment computer is sold out of the company that licensed the software for their internal use only, the license is invalid.

Knowing that isn't legit and still selling the computer with it... that's the worse part

 

I shall bring this up with the seller then.

thanks!